COME UNDONE
by
PiperMerlyn
Chapter 32
The Chapters
30 October 2003
Bucaresti, Romania
3:00 pm
It was pleasant here compared to the capitol’s chilling drizzle. He switched his carry-on from his right hand to his left,, then fumbled in a shirt pocket for his sunglasses and slipped them on. As he strode across the airport tarmac, Ethan heaved a sigh. It still shocked him that Jack had agreed to let him come. Ethan got in line for customs, yawning. The man had bustled him onto a red-eye flight nearly an hour after he’d talked with Casi.
After that phone call, he’d called Jack at home which had earned him a few blistering words before Jack had settled down to listen to his reason why. Next thing he knew, he was standing in a cold drizzle and high wind, waiting for a plane to finish filling up on fuel. Ethan shook his head. Jack was a royal pain in the ass. It’d be nice to work for himself one of these days, thought Ethan as he got through customs and walked out of the airport terminal.
Stopping at a payphone, Ethan first called Casi’s hotel room. When there was no answer, he called Joe’s number—the one Jack said was the one to get in touch with him—and only got an overworked answering machine. Ethan groaned. Of course, he’d have to do this the hard way. He hailed a taxi and gave the British Embassy as his destination.
He sat back in his seat, turning serious. Jack had said he’d sent a message, coded as usual, telling Joe to come home. If Joe had been his usual self—as Jack put it, none too nicely—he’d have called back wanting to know what the hell Jack was doing, he was in the middle of something, et cetera. So when no such response occurred, Jack had known that something was wrong. Which was why he was so ready to get Ethan on a plane.
Ethan shook his head again as the cab pulled up in front of the British Embassy. He was so lucky to have a wiseacre for a boss, an amateur comic for a partner and a musician for a brother. At least his sisters, Ellen and Elana, were normal—for sisters. He paid the cabdriver and got out of the vehicle. He took a moment to study the wrought iron gate standing open and the stone building beyond. Now here was where the fun began....
*****
Cassandra MacFairlaigne leaned forward and gave the cabdriver the police headquarters as her destination. The man nodded and pulled out into the stream of traffic. Casi glanced over her shoulder at the rundown apartment building and shivered, then looked down at the items in her hand. Her mind raced as to how she could get both tested and how she could explain why she had them without implicating Joe. She knew it would give him unneeded problems.
Her eyes rested on the opal glinting dully on the third finger of her left hand and she felt her eyes fill with tears. Oh God, she dreaded having to tell Chad. And she realized now that she didn’t love Chad and that made the tears come faster, spilling down her cheeks. Oh God, Chad, she thought, I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen, for it to get this far. She swallowed hard. She’d never dreamed she’d get a second chance—not really.
The driver stopped in front of the police headquarters. She paid the driver and got out. Taking a deep breath and wiping the tears away with her free hand, she walked into the building. At the reception desk, she paused. “Is Inspector Corwen in?”
The uniformed policeman shook his head. “Not here right now.”
“Henerik?”
“Nu.”
Casi remembered that meant no. She set the jar with the glass shard on the desk, then set the sandwich bag with the tooth on top. “If I leave something with you, will you see that they get it. It’s important. It has to do with Ailsa Haines.”
“Da.” The policeman nodded. Casi took a deep breath, wavering on whether to leave the items. She glanced at the items, then took a deliberate step back. “Thanks.” The policeman nodded again and she left the building. She stopped to see a taxi idling at the curb. Strange, she didn’t recall telling the driver to wait. She squinted at the driver. No, different driver. Her driver had been clean-shaven. But who kicks a gift horse in the mouth? she thought. She opened the back door and got in. “Hanul Manuc.”
The black-haired driver nodded wordlessly and headed toward the inn as Casi sat back in her seat. Was it going to be enough to find out what really happened here, she wondered, barely paying attention to the stately old buildings, the old-world atmosphere or even the fact it had started to drizzle. The driver stopped in front of the Hanul Manuc and she got out. She paid him and hurried into the lobby and froze. Chad was standing there, as if he’d been waiting for her. He gave her a careful nod. “Cassandra....we need to talk.” With one hand he gestured to the inn’s restaurant.
They entered the restaurant and found a secluded table. After ordering some tea and pastries, Chad took a deep breath. “Cassandra...”
“Chad, I know you must be wondering what’s going on here.”
“I’m listening.”
She stared down at her hands and the opal seemed to catch the light and draw it in to almost glow with an unearthly light. “I saw the ring. Chad, I---“
He held up a hand. “Wait. Before you make a hasty decision, at least let me ask frist.”
“I don’t think it would be a good idea because the answer would still be no.”
At that moment, the waitress brought their tea and pastries, setting them on the table. Chad waited until the woman had left, fiddled with his spoon, then stared at her. “At least tell me why.”
“There’s someone else.”
Chad went very still and for the first time took a really good look at the ring on her left hand—where his engagement ring would have gone. “What the bloody hell is going on?”
“I should have told you six months ago.” She shook her head and added softly. “Three years ago.”
Chad blinked. “Three.....years? Cassandra?
“He’d come to Justin and Gail’s wedding. After all, Justin was his brother—“
“Cassandra, damn it, stop talking as if I weren’t here. Who the hell is he?”
“Joe.”
“MacKensey?” Chad stared at her as if she’d gone crazy. He shook his head. “I should have seen this one coming ten miles away,” he said heavily. “But I didn’t want to see it. I love you, Cassandra. God knows I do. But...you don’t love me.”
“Chad.”
“Did you ever love me, Cassandra?”
The tears came then, spilling down her cheeks. “I care for you.”
“But do you love me?”
Something twisted inside of her. “No.”
He stared at his tea, then nodded. “But you love him.”
“Y-yes.”
For a moment, pain flared deep in his hazel eyes, then was gone. “I won’t leave here without you.”
“Chad—“
“Listen to me, Cassandra. It’s dangerous here. One woman is already dead. I will not leave you here on your own.”
“Joe’s here. He’s—“
“Quite possibly on assignment. He has no time to watch out for you.”
Whether the comment was meant to be spiteful or not, Casi knew Chad was right. Not to mention, she’d raised hell and high water in Marrakech about taking care of herself. What was wrong with her? “I can take care of myself, Chad.”
“I sincerely doubt that.” Chad pushed away the uneaten food. “I’m staying.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“A little late for that, don’t you think, Cassandra?”
Casi winced and got to her feet. “You’re right, of course.”
Chad stood up as well. “Where are you going?”
“For a walk.” She started to leave.
“Cassandra—“
But she didn’t turn around. Chad watched her leave, then sat back down. Ironic, really, he thought. The first Whitfield to get dumped. He took a deep breath. He’d never dreamed he’d ever get to this point. All his life, he had assumed he’d be like Byron—a bachelor. But then Cassandra stepped into his life. He glanced at the archway again. And now she was gone.
*****
Cassandra bolted for the lobby entrance doors, she had to go somewhere, get away. A taxi was idling at the curb and she wondered for a moment, if someone had called for it and it was waiting. Then she glanced up and down the sidewalk, but walking didn’t appeal to her at that moment. She yanked open the car door and got in the back seat. “Take me to police headquarters,” she told the driver, not sure where else to go.
The driver tugged on the brim of his olive green cap and nodded and took his time pulling into the street. He turned right on a side street and shifted gears. Casi glanced out the back window, the first niggle of worry tingling down her spine. “Police headquarters,” she repeated. “That way,” she added, pointing in the opposite direction they were heading.
The driver nodded and kept going in the direction he’d been headed. Casi frowned as a quick succession of turns took her further away from her hotel and in the wrong direction for the police headquarters. She scooted forward on her seat and tapped the driver’s shoulder. “You’re going the wrong way.”
The driver nodded. “Si, si, senorita.”
Casi jerked her hand back, startled. “Excuse me?”
“Oui, mademoiselle?”
“Who the hell are you?” This was absurd, thought Casi. She couldn’t be—no this couldn’t be a kidnapping! That couldn’t happen twice in a year, could it? “Let me out.”
He shook his head, keeping his eyes on the road. “Nyet.”
Casi stared at him, too shocked to protest further as he pulled onto a main boulevard toward the modern section of the city. Who was this idiot and why did he seem to speak every language but English. The driver parked in front of an old brick building that had iron bars on the windows. Casi went cold and when the guy gestured for her to get out, she refused. This couldn’t be good. The man just sighed and blew the horn.
A woman with raven-black hair came out the front door, clad in black cargo pants, combat boots and cropped camoflauge pattern T-shirt. As she turned and headed for the taxi, Casi sucked in a deep breath. What the hell?
The woman yanked open the back side door and leaned down, then gave Casi a mock salute. “Well, aren’t you going to say anything?”
Casi couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. Hello, Kendra, how are you and what the hell are you doing in Bucaresti?”
30 October 2003
Paris, France
2:51 pm
Michael Radcliffe closed the book with a snap, then squinted at the clock. Two-fifty. He sighed. So much for getting anything else done. He sat back in his desk chair, thinking about the book he just finished. It had been a blend of the near future and the Middle Ages. Almost reminiscent of Star Wars minus lightsabers, Darth Vader...Michael shook his head. Okay, maybe not so reminiscent of those movies.
The story had been closer to home than he’d expected. Not only had it dealt with the folly of an utopian society but with the consequences of depleting planetary resources. Although not big on environmental concerns, Michael knew that at the rate the population was going, this planet may be destroyed before too long due to greenhouse gasses, over pollution and a million other concerns.
Michael reached for the phone, remembering he’d wanted to talk to Quinn. He picked up the receiver and dialed a local number, then he hit the button for hands-free talking. Man, what had he done before it was invented, he wondered.
“Hello?” came a sleep-slurred voice.
“Quinn? You’re not asleep, are you? It’s a beautiful day, sun shining, birds singing. Get up, man and face the day.”
“Michael.” The voice held a tone of exaggerated patience. “It’s raining.”
“It is?” Michael blinked and looked out the shop window. “Oh. It is.”
“What planet did you just come back from? Venus?”
“Actually, l’Anthia.”
“Hunh?”
“Never mind. How awake are you?”
“Just enough to regret it. What time is it anyway?”
“Afternoon,” answered Michael vaguely. “I have a question.”
“As long as it’s not an essay question.” An odd rustle came across the wire making Michael frown.
“You are awake, right,” asked Michael.
“Was that your question?”
Michael grunted. “How long has the garnet bracelet been in your family?”
“Is that your question?”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Yes.”
“Let’s see, it belonged to my grandmother...”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Shut up, Michael.” Quinn cleared his throat. “Before that it belonged to my great-grandmother on my father’s side. Tradition was the wife handed it down to either the daughter or daughter-in-law.”
“Okay. But how long has it been in the family?”
There was that odd rustling again. “Why?” asked Quinn.
Michael explained his heirloom theory he’d discussed with Jasmine and the possible connections to the items found in Egypt. “What I’m getting at, Quinn, is what if these items were once part of the gods’ circle mentioned in Casi’s books?”
“The bracelet is nowhere near the size of the unicorn.”
“Yes. But think how much is cut from a diamond when it’s being faceted and polished.” Michael took a quick breath. “And what if at one time, it was as big as the unicorn?”
“But how is that possible? Wouldn’t it mean that there’s a garnet statue floating around out there?”
Michael’s eyes widened. “I think you’ve got it. A set of jewelry plus an object. That would explain all of it. Any superstitions attached to the bracelet?”
“Didn’t you ask me that before?”
“Quinn.”
“Okay, okay. It’s always been said the reason Hathaway Shipping survived so many years was because of the garnet. It was the family good-luck charm.”
“Oh, that helps.”
“What exactly are you digging for, Michael?”
“Oh hell, I don’t know.”
“If you don’t know, I can’t help you.”
“Shut up, Quinn.”
“You called me.”
“Right. Apparently, you’re awake now.” Michael thought he heard a voice in the background and narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“So who’s fault is that?”
Michael sighed. “Sorry I woke you.”
“Michael, I wasn’t sleeping,” said Quinn and hung up.
Michael glared at the phone, then punched the button to shut it off before the dial tone’s pulsing gave him a headache. After all, with friends like Quinn and Alethea, he had headaches enough...
*****
30 October 2003
Bucaresti, Romania
3:09 pm
Kendra got into the cab beside Casi and nodded to the driver. “You remember Aaron.”
Casi stared at him. “Aaron?”
“Sorry.” He pulled off the cap and tugged off the fake beard. “I don’t know Romanian.”
“Don’t know---“ Casi couldn’t decide if she wanted to laugh or scream. She shook her head and groaned.
Kendra frowned and looked from Aaron to Casi. “Did I miss something?”
“I don’t know Romanian,” repeated Aaron, now looking like the mousy-haired man Casi’d seen in Morocco. His tone made it seem as if that explained everything. “And you said...”
Kendra shot him a glare, then turned to Casi. “So what brings you to Romania?”
“Chad brought me here for my birthday.”
“Ahh....well, tell Chad to take you to Monaco. Much spicier nightlife.”
Casi arched an eyebrow. “Oh, I don’t know. What’s more spicier than vampires?”
“New Orleans? Anne Rice’s house on Halloween?” Kendra glanced at the bulky watch on her wrist. “If you leave now, you may get in on the private tour.”
“Well, if vampires were really that cute, they wouldn’t have to chase me.”
Kendra slid her a sideways look. “So...you have a thing for vampires?”
“Just Tom, Brad, Antonio...”
“I get the picture,” smirked Kendra. “Aaron , drive.”
Aaron shifted gears again and started driving. Casi took a deep breath and glanced at Kendra. “So what brings you to Romania?”
Kendra stared straight ahead. “Business.”
Aaron took a left down another side street. Casi didn’t see why he even bothered anymore. She was completely turned around, couldn’t find her hotel if she were equipped with radar. “What kind of business?”
Kendra glanced at her, her blue eyes pensive. “At the moment? You.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I’d love to screw this one up, Casi, so hightail it back to Cape Cod like all the hounds of hell were nipping at your heels. Wouldn’t be that far from the truth.”
Casi frowned. “You’re not working for Lilith Raven, are you?”
“That witch? Hell no.” Kendra took a deep breath and wouldn’t look at her. “Omar Hadad has requested that I take you to him.”
“Requested or ordered?”
“A little of both.”
“Kendra—“
“Look, Casi, I’m giving you fair warning. This is your chance to leave, boyfriend in tow and head for sunnier, more cheerful climes.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” snapped Casi.
Kendra’s eyes lit on the ring on the third finger of her left hand. “Doesn’t look that way.” Before Casi could answer, she added, “Damn it, if something happened to you, he’d kill me.”
Casi frowned. “Hadad?”
Kendra gave her a hard stare. “What wavelength are you on? Mack.” She heaved a sigh. “Hadad wants you. Why, I have no idea. You don’t need to stay here.”
Casi fingered the opal ring, felt close to tears again. “Mack’s in trouble.”
Kendra gave a start. “He’s here?”
“Yes. And I think the witch is here too.”
Kendra gave her another long look, glanced at the ring and narrowed her
eyes. “She has a thing for Mack, you know.”
“So I’ve heard.” Casi looked at Kendra. “So how long have you known him?”
Kendra didn’t bother asking who she meant. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve lost count of the years...”
Casi shook her head. “Kendra—“
Kendra stiffened in her seat and peered out the side window. “What the hell is he doing here?”
Casi looked and realized with a start, they were passing the British Embassy. Then she zeroed in on the man getting out of the taxi in front of them. “Oh my God.”
“Aaron, pull up and pick him up,” ordered Kendra.
Casi looked over at her, puzzled. “Why?”
“I want to know why he’s here.”
Casi frowned. “Because I called him.”
Kendra looked confused. “How do you know Elliott Marsden?”
Casi blinked and after a long moment, she recognized the name. The look on Kendra’s face told her she’d just gotten the man in trouble.
As soon as the other cab took off, Aaron pulled up to the curb and blew the horn. The man leaned down to look in the window. “Hey, pal, I paid you and gave you a tip, so....Casi?”
Kendra leaned forward. “Hello, Elliott.”
“Kendra? Casi? You two know each other?” Ethan was beyond stunned. Joe hadn’t told him about that meeting, apparently.
“Small world....Elliott,” said Casi.
Kendra looked at Casi, then at the man on the sidewalk. “Hmm...Jonah Kensington is Mack’s brother. Are you another brother? And is Elliott Marsden your real name?”
“I’m not his brother and my real name is Ethan Allen.”
“Well...whaddya know, I’m Morticia Addams.”
Ethan stuck his hand through the open window and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Addams. And this must be Wednesday,” he added, nodding to Casi.
“Actually, it’s Thursday,” said Aaron, helpfully.
Ethan turned pale as he glanced at Aaron. “Oh my God, you remind me of—“ He shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t want to even think about him.”
Casi bit back a grin. “So, how do you two know each other?”
“Long story,” muttered Ethan, suddenly looking very ill at ease. “I think I’d better go.”
“But you just got here,” said Kendra, sweetly. “Come on, Ethan, hitch a ride with us.”
“As long as we stay away from the river.”
“Why?” asked Casi.
“He has the bizarre fear of cement factories. All mercenaries do.”
Casi stared, looked from Ethan to Kendra. “Cement factories. Didn’t that go the way fo the Prohibition, speakeasies and flapper dresses?”
Ethan looked at Kendra as he got in the front seat next to Aaron. “Ask her.”
Kendra grinned. “Now, Ethan, that was four years ago and it’s not like I threw you in.”
“Small comfort there.”
Casi shook her head. “You actually had his feet in cement?”
Kendra shrugged. “Hazards of the job, eh...Ethan?”
“Yeah, whatever. Casi, we have to talk.”
“By all means talk,” said Kendra, expansively.
“Privately.”
Kendra gave a put-upon sigh. “It’s not like I don’t know.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Know what?”
Kendra glanced at Aaron and there was a dull thunk of doors locking. “You see, Ethan, I’m working for Hadad. Like I was two years ago. He sent me to get Casi and now I have you as a bonus.” She flashed him a wide grin. “What good luck I’m having today.”
Ethan shifted in his seat, felt his temper rise. “Kendra---“
“Did you know Anwar Hadad is dead?”
Ethan frowned. “How do you know?”
“I have my ways. Shakira is no longer involved in the family business. Omar is the only loose cannon now.”
“And then some,” muttered Ethan.
“Wait,” said Casi, getting confused. “You said you work for him.”
“I’m a mercenary, Casi. I work for myself. Occasionally, I work under someone for, of course, reasons all my own.”
Ethan sighed. “Like four years ago. So I assume Hadad was royally pissed over that.”
“Why? He thinks you’re dead. Oh damn. There goes my bonus.”
“And here comes mine. Let me out.” Ethan moved to open the door.
“So you can thwart my plan?”
“What are you going to do with Casi?”
“Stop talking about me as if I weren’t here,” said Casi.
Kendra slid her a glance, then looked at Ethan. “I’m taking her to Hadad.”
“And then what?” asked Ethan.
Casi frowned. “I said---“
“Kill him.”
Casi looked from Kendra to Ethan. “Go, Ethan, help Mack.”
“Casi—“
“Don’t fret, Ethan. All these years, I’ve been trying to prove him wrong. No way in hell I’m going to prove him right. Now.”
“Excuse me?” said Casi.
Kendra stared out the window for a moment, turning serious. “In off moments, Mack would talk about this girl. Never told me her name but showed me a picture once. It was you. Hair was longer and in twin braids and you were wearing camo top and shorts but—“
“Kenya.” Casi took a deep breath. She’d forgotten about the Polaroid snapshot of them up in the tree. “It was me.”
“I’d always gotten the impression he was scared he’d lose you—and it would be his fault. I’m not about to prove him right.”
Casi studied Kendra for a long moment, remembered Morocco and nodded. “I trust you.”
“Casi—“
She turned to Ethan. “You trusted her four years ago.”
Ethan grunted. “That’s different.”
“How?” demanded Casi.
“Damn it, you’re a civilian.”
“We’re both human, we’re both mortal. Damn, you’re getting as bad as he is.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Kendra.
“The hell it is,” retorted Ethan.
Casi sighed. “Go, Ethan.”
“Yes. Before I change my mind. Aaron, stop the car.”
The cab slowed to a stop. Ethan frowned. “Casi..”
“Go, Ethan. Your partner needs you.”
Ethan didn’t move from the seat, even though the locks had been disengaged with a dull thunk. “He’ll kill me if something happens to you, Casi.”
“Nothing will happen, Ethan. Nothing.”
Ethan looked over at Kendra as if Casi hadn’t spoken. “And when he’s done with me, he’ll flay you alive, then kill you.”
Kendra shook her head. “Idle threats, Ethan, nothing more.”
Reluctantly, he got out of the cab. Before he could give a final warning, the car was gone. That’s when he noticed Aaron had dropped him off in front of a rundown apartment building. A chill settled over him. Something told him this was where Joe was staying. He’d have to check the address with the one Jack had written down for him but he was pretty sure. He glanced over his shoulder in the direction the taxi had gone. For some reason, this all bothered him.
***
Cassandra shifted in her seat to look at Kendra. “What now?”
“I’d really rather you go home.”
“Not without—not without Mack.”
Kendra glanced at the ring again, then studied Casi’s face. “You love him that much?”
“I love him more.”
Kendra shook her head. “He’s a lucky man.”
“He doesn’t think so.”
“Yeah...well, Jonah’s just as bad.”
Casi felt one eyebrow arch. Kendra and Joe’s older brother? That was interesting. “Really?”
Kendra nodded. “Pain in the derraire that one. Doesn’t believe in the Tarot or Ouija board. But he’s got a good heart.”
“You believe in Tarot?”
“I’ve read before.”
Casi looked out the window. “Does it always come true?”
“Fortune-telling or rather future-telling is hardly an exact science. And the cards are open to interpretation.”
Casi nodded slowly. “True.”
Kendra took a deep breath. “Why do you love him so?”
Casi blinked, startled by the question. “I...Why? He’s.. the other half of my soul.”
“Soul-mates. I didn’t think people believed in that anymore.”
“I do.”
Kendra shook her head. “This sounds like something out of a fairytale.”
Casi actually laughed. “Complete with evil villian and wicked witch.”
“Yes.”
Their eyes met for a long moment. Kendra arched an eyebrow and tapped the pearl dangling around Casi’s neck. “So how does a rich girl—a princess—fall in love with a commoner?”
Casi smirked, remembering a moment earlier this year. “There’s nothing common about that one.”
Kendra nodded. “True.”
“So what’s the connection between you and....Mack?”
Kendra gazed out the window for a long moment. “Ever play pool?”
“Yes. My one bad habit in college. I frequented pool halls.”
“You notice you can hit the cue ball which in turn hits another ball. Depending on the angle, the ball can theoretically go into any pocket.”
“Yes.”
“Mack was the cue ball. I was the eight ball. He changed the rules, knocked me for a loop. You see, before I met him I was an assassin.”
Casi held in her surprise. There were hard edges on Kendra but it still surprised her. She swallowed hard. “And now you’re a mercenary.”
“I only kill if I have to. I’m no longer an assassin for hire.”
“But you’re going to kill Hadad.”
“I don’t have a choice. He gets away, it puts you, Mack and everyone else in more danger.”
“Why do you care?” Casi asked before she could stop herself. It had sounded rude even to her.
“I like Mack. He’s a pain but I like him.” Kendra grinned over at Casi. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Casi chuckled. “My sentiments exactly.”
“You know, it’s not fair.”
“What?”
“All these Neanderthals have code names but we don’t.”
Casi grinned at her playful tone. “What do you suggest?”
Kendra tapped the pearl again. “You....Solitaire. Me..” Her ice-blue eyes twinkled. “Xena.”
Casi shook her head, grinning. “Why can’t I be Gabrielle?” she asked, refering to the show that was long since over but still a cult favorite.
“You’re not a sidekick. You’re a mover and a shaker. And you look like her.”
It didn’t take Casi long to guess who Kendra meant. “Jane Seymour?”
Kendra grinned and nodded. “I knew it. You do watch James Bond.”
“Guilty as charged. I watch Xena too.”
“But I have to admit,” said Kendra, somewhat reluctantly. “I like Hercules better.”
“Who doesn’t?”
The taxi pulled up in front of a huge house of black stone. “Showtime,” said Kendra. “Come on....Solitaire.”
*****
It had taken all of five minutes before Chad decided to go after her. Maybe it was crazy, maybe it was just wishful thinking to convince her to change her mind but he had to try. He saw her get into a taxi and go away. Damn, she’d said she was going for a walk. He narrowed his eyes. He knew there was no way to track the taxi—especially on foot. The sun shone down cheerfullynow the faint drizzle gone and he could see people walking along, tourists obviously visiting the ruins at Old Princely Court. He walked out the doors and paused, deciding to go in the same direction the taxi had been heading.
He turned left and started walking. In an abstract way, he conceded that Romania had its charm with its history, with its architecture but he would have personally prefered Monaco or Australia as a perfect place to visit. But he’d learned in college when he’d first met Cassandra of her fascination with the occult specifically vampires. He’d never understood her fascination but he had never asked her about it. He’d thought that Romania would have been the perfect place and tomorrow the perfect time since her birthday fell on Halloween, tomorrow.
But things hadn’t worked the way he’d planned. She’d seen the ring before he could have prepared her. She went for a long, long walk yesterday and came back crying. He’d had that unpleasant run-in with Miranda and had seen a crime scene. And now Cassandra had turned him down before he’d been prepared for the rejection. Chad shook his head. Something was wrong, and knowing Cassandra she was in the middle of it all and that scared him the most.
He thought about going back to the police headquarters. Cassandra had returned safe and sound but now she was gone again. That inspector had been helpful but Chad didn’t expect the man to put aside everything he was doing—
Chad stopped cold on the sidewalk as his mind finally connected the dots. Cassandra had gone to police headquarters yesterday, the inspector had confirmed it, said she’d brought in a piece of evidence. Whatever had been in that bloody box, Chad realized. Was she investigating the woman’s murder? Here? A chill raced down his spine. He had to find her, stop her before she got herself killed. He glanced back in the direction he’d come, debating on whether to hurry back to the Hanul Manuc and get a taxi or keep going and head for police headquarters. He had to find her.
Just then, a taxi passed him and he ran after it until it stopped. He hurried to it and got in. “Police headquarters,” he told the driver breathlessly. The driver nodded and started down the road. Chad tried not to let his imagination run away with him during the short trip. As soon as the vehicle slowed down, he had the door open, his money in his hand. He handed it to the driver and vaulted out of the car, barely remembering to close the door.
He hurried into the building and to the reception desk. “I need to see Inspector Henerik.”
The policeman looked mildly surprised that a tourist knew a police officer but nodded and pointed to the elevators. “Fifth floor.”
“Thank you.” Chad bolted for the nearest elevator and paced the entire wait for a free one. As soon as he was inside, heading for the fifth floor, he was pacing again. The ride up was mercifully short and the minute the doors slid open he was in the hallway, heading for the homicide division.
A tall blond woman was coming out of the double doors and he almost knocked her down. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. No harm done.” She looked him up and down. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Inspector Henerik.”
She arched a slim eyebrow. “He’s over there. I’m Inspector Corwen, his partner.”
Chad nodded. “Thank you. I’m Chad Whitfield. Last night your partner tried to help me find someone.”
Corwen nodded and apparently changed her mind about leaving for she walked him over to a set of desks set perpendicular to each other. “He told me it was the same girl who came in yesterday, with the print.”
Chad blinked. “Print?”
“Yes. She’d lifted a print from the necklace belonging to the dead girl.”
“How the bloody hell did she get a necklace belonging to a dead woman?”
Natalya arched the other eyebrow. “She told us she found it. Anyway, she seemed quite stunned to learn the print belonged to man by the name of Omar Hadad.”
Chad frowned a moment because the name sounded oddly familiar. “Who’s he?”
“A reputed drug smuggler, owned Hadad Pharmaceuticals. He was believed killed in an explosion four years ago in New Delhi, India but apparently he didn’t die.” Natalya shrugged as they came to the desks. “Gil, Mr. Whitfield.”
“Ah, yes, did you ever find her?” asked Gil without even looking up from the papers on his desk.
Whitfield cleared his throat. “Yes. She was in her hotel room when I returned last night. But she’s gone again. She’s investigating this, isn’t she,” said Chad, gesturing to the papers on the desk.
Gil finally raised his head to look at Chad. “You sound a little put-out, Mr. Whitfield.”
“A little?” exclaimed Chad, startled.
Natalya wasn’t psychic but she knew this was about to explode and it wouldn’t be pretty. “Gentlemen, it wouldn’t do to cause a disturbance in the middle of the police department.”
Gil didn’t seem to have heard her. “Your friend seems quite competent.”
“She’s my fiance and I won’t have her placing herself in danger to solve a murder. She’s not even a cop, much less a detective of any sort,” snapped Chad, trying not to loose his temper.
“Isn’t that her decision?” asked Gil.
Natalya groaned silently and stepped in front of Chad. “Why don’t you have a seat, Mr. Whitfield. Let’s be rational about this.”
“That’s just it, Cassandra is never quite rational when she thinks she’s solving a mystery. Damn it, I should have seen this a long time ago.” Chad took a deep breath and sat down in the chair she’d gestured to.
“You seem to have a dim view of her capabilities,” said Gil, relentlessly. “She lifted a print with body powder, a clear enough print for us to identify it. Personally, I think she’s wasting her talents writing. She should be a police officer.”
Before Chad could manage a coherent response, Natalya spoke up, “Gil, stop. It’s ultimately between them, stop stirring the pot.”
Gil grunted. “I like her. She watches MacGyver.”
Natalya rolled her eyes and looked at Chad. “What did you want us to do? If she’s just out, walking around, we can’t actually go in force to look for her. And I’m sure you know it has to be twenty-four hours before we can consider her missing.”
Chad grunted and tried his best to calm down. “This Hadad, where is he?”
“We don’t know,” said Gil. “But whoever he is, he obviously murdered Ailsa Haines then made it look like a vampire killing. We don’t have very many suspects—just the housekeeper’s employer, her great-uncle and her boyfriend.”
Chad blinked. “The old man I talked to said the girl was his great-niece.”
Gil leaned forward. “You talked to Haines and didn’t report it.”
Natalya frowned. “Damn it, Gil, we both know Roderick isn’t guilty of this. His only crime was claiming vampires when they don’t exist.”
Gil snorted. “Yeah, whatever.”
“The old man said she worked for Dorian Thayer, who is he?”
When it appeared Gil wasn’t going to answer him, Natalya heaved a sigh. “He lives up in that huge black monstrosity just north of the city. Rumors abound that he’s a vampire but we just finished talking to him, so he’s obviously not one of the undead. He gave us the name of the girl’s boyfriend.”
“Who is he?” asked Chad, feeling desperate. Either Cassandra went to talk to the great-uncle, the boyfriend or the employer.
“Kurt Varick. He’s the most likely suspect,” said Natalya, then went quite still. “Mr. Whitfield, when exactly did you and Miss MacFairlaigne arrive in Bucaresti?”
“Tuesday evening,” answered Chad, automatically, then his hazel eyes widened as he looked over at her. “You don’t seriously consider me, do you?”
Gil looked over at him. “Not seriously.”
Natalya heard her partner’s tone and tried not to grin. “Mr. Whitfield, it’s theoretically possible you might have done it. You were only a block away from the murder scene.”
“I didn’t do it. Damn it, I hate vampire movies.”
“Then why are you here in Romania?” asked Gil.
“Because Cassandra is fascinated by vampires. Only God knows why.” Chad shifted in his seat. “Where does this Varick live?”
“We’re working on that. We know he does odd jobs around the British Embassy.”
Chad frowned, thinking furiously. “Miranda was in an odd snit yesterday.”
Natalya leaned forward. “You know the ambassador’s daughter?”
“She dated my brother for awhile but it ended badly. But she was griping about the housekeeper like she was a rival or something.”
Natalya glanced at Gil and straightened up. “Then perhaps we should go to the embassy, talk to her, perhaps get the address.”
“I’m going with you. God knows, Cassandra probably decided to confront him and---“ Chad shot to his feet. “Let’s go.”
Gil opened his mouth but Natalya shushed him. “Let’s go, then.”
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Disclaimer
The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.